PORT ANGELES — Rob DeCou is on pace to complete a 3,000-mile solo bicycle race across the United States today.
The 34-year-old ultra-endurance athlete is on the verge of completing the Race Across America in honor of a fellow 2000 Port Angeles High School graduate, Christina Jo (Ahmann) Nevill, who died of brain cancer three years ago.
“He’s just riding like crazy,” said Jo Dee Ahmann, Nevill’s mother and traveling support crew member, on Thursday.
Brain cancer research
DeCou is racing for 3000 Miles to a Cure to raise money for brain cancer research.
As of 4 p.m. Saturday, DeCou had raised $20,425 toward his $20,000 goal.
Click on www.3000milestoacure.com for information about the fundraiser and updates on DeCou’s endeavor.
Billed as the world’s toughest bicycle race, the Race Across America, or RAAM, began in Oceanside, Calif., 12 days ago on June 14.
Those who finish will have crossed 12 states and climbed more than 170,000 vertical feet — the equivalent of 33 trips from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge.
To be an official finisher, DeCou must reach a time station in Mount Airy, Md., by 11:22 a.m. Eastern time today.
The Race Across America ends in Annapolis, Md.
Other cyclists are racing in teams of two, four and eight. Team competitors left the Oceanside pier June 18.
Recumbent bike
DeCou was riding his recumbent bike in the mountains of West Virginia on Friday and could not be reached for comment.
Solo racers are afforded very little rest if they intend to make their designated cutoff times.
DeCou had a 45-minute “pit nap” in the heat of the day Friday after resting for about an hour the night before, said his wife, Kristin DeCou.
Ahmann, a Port Angeles music teacher, is posting regular updates about DeCou’s progress on the 3000 Miles to a Cure website.
“His night crew reported he has strong reserves — sleep, endurance, physical strength, manageable pain levels and the heart of a warrior,” Ahmann wrote in a Friday blog post.
DeCou, who now lives in the Los Angeles area, called Ahmann last fall to say he wanted to race across the county in honor of Nevill.
Liked her courage
“He liked her courage and tenacity and abundant living,” Ahmann said in a Thursday interview.
The former Port Angeles High School wrestling star also invited Ahmann to be a part of his RAAM crew.
“Christina would love this,” Ahmann said.
“She was an adventure girl. This would be right up her alley.”
Nevill died of brain cancer June 13, 2013, at the age of 31.
She was survived by her husband, Douglas Nevill, and her son, Isaiah.
She was also survived by her brother, Jesse Ahmann; her parents, Doug and Jo Dee Ahmann; and grandmother Victoria Ahmann.
After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Christina Nevill founded a nonprofit to provide free massage therapy for cancer patients.
“She kept pursuing life,” Jo Dee Ahmann said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.